Islamabad: The National Assembly on Thursday approved a motion to suspend Member of the National Assembly Muhammad Iqbal Khan under Rule 21 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly, 2007.
Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said the member had repeatedly undermined the dignity and sanctity of the House through inappropriate and non-parliamentary conduct.
Addressing the House, the Speaker informed members that several complaints had been received regarding the use of abusive language by Muhammad Iqbal Khan against officials and employees of the National Assembly Secretariat.
He further stated that the member had also displayed inappropriate behaviour towards the Director General Media of the National Assembly as well as security personnel. The Speaker emphasized that such conduct was unacceptable and could not be ignored.
Sardar Ayaz Sadiq observed that Muhammad Iqbal Khan had on several occasions acted contrary to parliamentary norms and traditions. He added that the member had also misbehaved with security personnel outside Parliament House and had previously been involved in an altercation with police officials at a security checkpoint near Serena Hotel.
"The dignity of Parliament, respect for its officers, and adherence to parliamentary traditions are non-negotiable," the Speaker remarked, adding that threatening behaviour and misuse of authority by any member would not be tolerated.
The motion seeking suspension of the member was moved by MNA Farah Naz Akbar and was subsequently approved by the House. Muhammad Iqbal Khan was suspended for disrupting House proceedings and displaying inappropriate conduct.
Following the approval of the motion, the Speaker directed the Sergeant-at-Arms to escort the member out of the House.
During the proceedings, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry informed the House regarding reports that Muhammad Iqbal Khan's son had sought political asylum in Italy while travelling on a blue passport. The Speaker referred the matter relating to the use of the blue passport to the Standing Committee on Interior for further examination.
The Speaker also ruled that Muhammad Iqbal Khan would not be allowed to enter Parliament House or its precincts for the remainder of the ongoing Budget Session.